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Or the ultimate paparazzi or Peeping Tom tool...if I see one of these approaching me while out on the lake, I will certainly do something unladylike with my middle finger.
Or perhaps go through the motions of pulling out and taking aim with a slingshot.

I actually think they are neat gadgets, and can do some good when in the "right hands". Unfortunately, the invasion of privacy potential when in the "wrong hands" is going to make for some interesting legal situations.

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"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

Or the ultimate paparazzi or Peeping Tom tool...if I see one of these approaching me while out on the lake, I will certainly do something unladylike with my middle finger.
Or perhaps go through the motions of pulling out and taking aim with a slingshot.

I actually think they are neat gadgets, and can do some good when in the "right hands". Unfortunately, the invasion of privacy potential when in the "wrong hands" is going to make for some interesting legal situations.

Based on my piloting skills, if you see a drone operating in a controlled manner, it's not me...

Or perhaps go through the motions of pulling out and taking aim with a slingshot.

I'm sure you could take one down with bird shot. You'd probably be within your rights as long as you were in a location that allowed the discharge of weapons. "But officer, I was firing on a quail and the drone jumped in between me and my target".

I'm sure you could take one down with bird shot. You'd probably be within your rights as long as you were in a location that allowed the discharge of weapons. "But officer, I was firing on a quail and the drone jumped in between me and my target".

Nah, I wouldn't wreck someone's toy. But...imagine the response when the operator sees me going through the motions, either through a live feed to the laptop or during later video review.
OMG crazy boater woman with a slingshot.

No shooting of any kind is allowed on this lake, BTW. I like that law.

__________________
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

In place of missiles or cannons, Rapere will strike with string by lowering a tangle line onto the rotors of its prey. In order to find that prey, Rapere is set to be fitted with 12 fast cameras, looking for the motion of another well-lit object in the low sky. Rapere flights will be short sprints, designed to identify a target, attack, and return to a charging station all within a short, two-minute fight span.

Of course, these drones all share control frequencies with the 2.4 GHz amateur radio band, where I happen to be licensed to use up to 1,500 watts of power into highly directional antennae... Drone Fricasee, anyone?

Of course, these drones all share control frequencies with the 2.4 GHz amateur radio band, where I happen to be licensed to use up to 1,500 watts of power into highly directional antennae... Drone Fricasee, anyone?

It will be very interesting to see how all this turns out. I am sure there will be some test cases in courts, where the hobbyist pilot did something to cross into private property, either by intent or an honest mistake while learning to fly the RC air vehicle.

Private companies doing outdoor field testing of a new product will now have to be sure that a competitor is not spying from above.
Women will be constantly looking into the sky to make sure there is no drone recording them while sunbathing or engaged in other open space backyard activities that formerly were private.
Law enforcement may have to be concerned that footage of children playing outside is not being recorded for less than honorable purposes.

The sales of long handled telescoping tennis rackets and butterfly nets will skyrocket.

This kind of reminds me of what happens if the Frisbee or baseball landed in the neighbor's yard. Will the neighbor just throw it back over the fence ? Does that neighbor have to return the device if the pilot invaded their aerial space over their private property ?

Inquiring minds want to know...

__________________
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

...........
This kind of reminds me of what happens if the Frisbee or baseball landed in the neighbor's yard. Will the neighbor just throw it back over the fence ? Does that neighbor have to return the device if the pilot invaded their aerial space over their private property ?

I'm playing around with the idea of getting a cheap drone quadcopter. $60 gets the drone RTF (ready to fly) with a still and video camera. The camera is low resolution and it has about a 5-minute flight time but it'd be interesting to learn with.

Heh, heh. It briefly (very briefly) occurred to me to fly it over DW while she's in the shower. I'm fairly sure she would not be amused.

I'm playing around with the idea of getting a cheap drone quadcopter. $60 gets the drone RTF (ready to fly) with a still and video camera. The camera is low resolution and it has about a 5-minute flight time but it'd be interesting to learn with.

Wow, I didn't know they made them that small and inexpensive. It won't do that much compared to a DJI Phantom for example, but then I shouldn't expect much at 1/10th the price or thereabouts. It appears the $100 and less quadcopters are a great value for a beginner. I might have to have one too...

There's probably some value in buying a cheap quad before committing to a more serious drone to learn the basics of flying, and save some time and money on repairs to a higher-end drone down the line. You'll also be able to see first-hand how cool it is to put a camera in the air - even if almost all of the footage is too wobbly and low-res to share with anybody but friends and family.

I am surprised at how steady the footage is. Was it a windless or calm-ish day, or is the Phantom that steady? Or the operator that good?

Unfortunately the application I am thinking about would be more fun on windy days (10-20 mph), but I am concerned those will also be days the drone will be sorta all over the place degrading of video steadiness.

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